The role of the cation channel TRPC6 in vascular remodeling

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Thorsten Kessler
• Subject Area: Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 506094922

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in industrialized nations such as the Federal Republic of Germany. In many cases, the basis is atherosclerosis, e.g. in peripheral arterial occlusive disease, coronary heart disease or cerebrovascular diseases. An essential tool for improving the symptoms and often also the prognosis in these diseases is revascularization, which can be carried out either surgically or interventionally. A disadvantage of interventional procedures in all areas of vascular medicine, however, is the renewed narrowing (restenosis) of the vessels secondary to balloon dilatation or stent implantation. Today's standard is the implantation of drug-coated stents. These release antiproliferative substances, mostly rapamycin derivatives such as sirolimus or everolimus. Cell proliferation is unspecifically inhibited by these substances, which could reduce the restenosis rate. Using an exploratory study of the vascular proteome after wire-mediated endothelial denudation, we identified TRPC6 as a promising therapeutic target. In this project we now want to further investigate the molecular, cellular and genetic basis of the involvement of TRPC6-expressing cells in vascular remodeling and gain first insights into a therapeutic benefit.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants